Thoughts from the Road

I have found a quick moment to jots some notes from my journey thus far before they are forgotten.  I am midway through the trip at this point and it has been a true whirlwind and quite wonderful.  Here is a very quick synopsis.

I have:

• Been through five airports (seven total before I'm home - OKC, STL, BWI, IAD, OAK, SFO, & DIA)
• Been to MO, MD, DC, VA and CA thus far.
• Traveled via car, plane, bus, and boat.
• Visited with old friends and met many new people I hope to call friends
• Been drenched to the skin a random rainshower
• Talked one on one with the a New York Times best selling author and financial reporter for half an hour
• Chatted with an elderly man who seemed so full of wisdom-- a quiet patient conversation that reminded me of my grandfather.
• hugged and been hugged dozens of times.
• Eaten more seafood than I do in months (and had more wine too)
• Walked quietly along the shoreline path in the early morning
• Stood on my balcony soaking in the beauty of the resort and the morning
• Listened to the "Silent Phase" live in their first (only?) performance
• Talked to my kids and husband daily, even if it meant waking them up to do so
• Made s'mores at the fire pit with my boss
• Explained the telecommuting situation dozens of times
• Learned about the future of health care and possibilities for democratization
• Tried to imagine what it would be like to have $100 million or even $1 million dollars extra to give to a charity? (Or even to have that amount to begin with.... yes, this was a philanthropy leadership retreat of sorts).
• Eaten fabulous food - I think the scallops and crab cakes were my favorite, but the strawberry shortcake was also just right.
• Taken a boat cruise down the estuary at sunset
• Attended the Board meeting
• Talked about the importance of community and connectedness to the institution and wondered about  that challenge
• Had faculty, trustees, administrators and donors talk to me about their fears, hopes and memories of GW
• Laughed with my colleagues.- they are really amazing.  We work well together, but we play well together too.
• Worked through mini-problems of the days (work)
• Wandered along the 2011 San Francisco Gay Pride Parade (second wildest parade I've been too - St. Patrick's Day in Dublin was still the most far out).
•  Visited Yerba Buena Park 
• Shopped at the Westfield Center
• Wondered how much bureaucracy we must put in place for COI just to get people to basically "do the right thing"
• Heard a presentation by the "Get Things Done" guy, that mostly just stressed me out both about how much I have to do and the very possibility of organizing it.
• Been woken up repeatedly by various pieces of my electronic menagerie beeping in the night
• Left the lights on in my rental car and had it jumped by the hotel (as an aside, my car was this obnoxious orange color, really bizarre).
• Talked almost non-stop -- often with people I've never met.  Almost felt like I'd hit my networking stride... may never really 
• Soaked my blistered feet in the kiddie pool
• Met fascinating people on the patio at night with drinks in hand and smoke in the air.
• Worn high heels more than in most months
• Procured sailor hats for both kids (including one donated by the Dean of GSHED)
• Missed my kids & Brent
• Been thankful for our family that makes trips like these possible
• Felt so very lucky that I have an amazing job that lets me have these experience and surrounds me with some phenomenal colleagues.
•   Wandered the streets of San Francisco soaking up the city, getting exercise and enjoying having no demands on my time (for an hour or two at least)
• Read the first part of Game of Thrones.
• Learned about "branding" and the "message"
• Sat by very old women on the plane that spoke no english (and were very confused)
• Tried to savor this experience and be in the moment not wishing for the next.
• Been amazed at how incredible the retreat experience was and full of hopes for a great conference.

I feel a little bit like my Dad being amazed at all this, and like to think that he is probably somewhere watching in fascination. I feel pretty accustom to travel, conferences, and my job, but really feel like this time some of these experience and people have been so much more incredible than I anticipated.  I am so thankful that I am getting to do all this -- Thanks to all of you that make it possible-- particularly Brent, Maggie, Brendan, Mom, Able, Bill, Marilyn and, of course, GW.